Legal Compliance Officer - Harlow Council

4Recruitment Services; Harlow; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in Harlow seeks a Legal Compliance Officer to support legal services with statutory compliance and data management. The candidate will oversee requests under FOIA and GDPR, ensuring timely responses and adherence to compliance standards. Strong experience in legal compliance and data handling is required for this role.

Qualifications

• Experience in managing FOIA and EIR requests.
• Familiarity with DPA 2018 and GDPR regulations.
• Ability to provide compliance support in a legal environment.

Responsibilities

• Manage requests under FOIA and EIR for the Council.
• Respond to personal data requests under DPA and GDPR.
• Lead on data sharing requests and monitor compliance.

Job description

Legal Compliance Officer Harlow Council

Job Purpose:

To support the Legal Services department with statutory and organisational compliance through the provision of general and specialised activities across all areas of the Service.

The Role:

• Manage requests for information received under FOIA and EIR, responding on behalf of the Council, with support from the Legal Services Manager for complex requests.
• Respond to personal data requests (Subject Access Requests) under DPA 2018 and GDPR, with support from the Legal Services Manager for complex requests.
• Lead on managing and responding to internal and third-party personal data sharing requests under DPA 2018 and GDPR, seeking support from the Legal Services Manager for complex requests.
• Undertake processes for compliance with and reaccreditation of the Legal Service's LEXCEL accreditation.
• Process and ensure prompt payment of invoices in accordance with agreed timescales using the Council's systems.

Duties Include but Not Limited to:

• Monitor information requests received under FOIA requiring disclosure from multiple departments/services using the Council’s electronic system.
• Ensure hybrid FOIA requests are answered within statutory timeframes.
• Draft and send response letters and disclose requested information to FOIA requesters.
• Provide advice and assistance to departmental FOI officers regarding FOIA requests and exemptions, seeking support from the Legal Services Manager for complex requests.
• Monitor personal data requests (Subject Access Requests) under DPA and GDPR using the Council’s electronic system.
• Draft and send SAR response letters.
• Ensure personal data requests are answered within statutory timeframes.